Motor-propelled crane



F. A.' H. iJ/JQSS/f MOTOR PROPELLED CRANE 4 Sheets-Sheet Filed Nov.

gvvwento f4, /5/2 www a June l1, 1929. I P. A. H. Moss/v 1,716,732

MOTOR PROPELLED CRANE Filed Nov. 29. 1926 4 sheets-sheet 5' SmwemcozJune H, 1929, P, A, H, MQSSAAY 1,716,732

MOTOR PROPELLED CRANE Filed Nov, 29, 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ansa rantAnr'ironsn HUBERT MossAY, or IPSWICH, nnGLANng-Assrsnon To Moss'ara fcontraria', rrr/Irren; on LoNnoiyLnNenAnn, aoonrona'rron; y 1 f v-MoroR-rnornnnnncnans..

nppueauna 'llhisinvention relates to railless motorpro- ,y

zpelled cranes lwhich are provided-with ground Wheels adapted to actboth for translational movements and for slewing movements of the 5crane. 4: i

l@lianes of-lth-isV kind have hitherto been made Wi th a Wheel base ofdefinite dimensions calculated in each-case to give the required fstability for; the lifting capacity of the crane,

`0 it being'desirableto keep'the rWheel base as smal-l as possible inorder to permit of rapid operation Withina small turning or slewingradiusand to enable the craneA to pass throught, andto operate 1n narrowgangvvaysor other `confined spaces. v c In arriving atlthe liftingcapacity of a crane of the above type it is necessaryto conrsider twovopposing moments about the 4axis ot-the front-,wheeler wheels whichfactsas a tulcrum about which the crane might tilt.

` @ne of 'these vmoments is that due tothe Vrated maximum load to Abelifted, and the distance at which this load acts. in front ofthe tilting'fulcrum when the jib'is fully extended,while the other and opposingmoment is that ofthetotalweight of the crane concentrated at-itscentreof gravity and the dis- `tance ot this centre of gravity from thistiltthe coefficient of stabil-ity of the crane, Withl out necessitatingalteration in the Weight ot the crane and alsovvithout requiring undueincrease in the turning or slewing radius, or inotherWords,funduc`increase in the space Within ywhich the body of .orrotate u v Vliliththeabove object in view `a crane according to the invention is providedwithl ground Wheels, notonly adapted to act both tortranslationalmovements and for slewing.l

movements of the crane thereon, but also Y' adapted to be adjusted soasto vary the counterbalancing effect of the Weight-ot the cranek:byvvarying'the position o ty the centre of grav ity of the latter.

the crane can slew.-

;filea novembezas, 1926,' serial No. 151,505, am in Great BritainDecember-14,1925.

The inventioainay beappl'ied to various" forms of crane ot' the typeabove mentioned, 55 for exampleit may be applied to one havingnon-swivelling front. Wheels, in which case. the adjustment necessarytoeiiiect variationin the lifting capacity `may result in somekvariation in the slewing radius, i. e., the radiusofthe circle sweptout by the body of the crane .when rotating or slewing; Whereas'it isalso possible to applyit to acraneof the above type having sWivellingfront'wl'ieels so that pimtically a turning or slewing circleotlconstant small radius lmay, be retained irrespective of theadjustment. for liftingcapacity, a smaller Wheel base being assured..when the crane is adjusted tor a loW liftingr capacity thus alsofacilitating rapid turning or slewing operations, when .dealing withlight loads', \vhen there is no necessityto syvivel the front Wheels. cl i i Y ln any case according to the present invention it 'is possibleto adjust the crane to op- 7 crate eliiciently when dealing With lightloads, not exceeding'tor instance 'half av ton, f such as in warehouseWork, when it is desirable to haveva small Wheel base facilitatingmobility and rapidity of operation, and yet to adjust the Acrane todealWith heavier loads l of saytivo tons when required, the increasedlifting' capacity being attained Without any appreciable variation inthe effective jib radius. l A

ln lthe accompanying drawings; lFigure l is aside sectional elevation,

Figure l is an outline sideelevation showing the end ot the overhangingjibstructure omitted trom lligfl, u y lFigure 2 is a plan partly insection, and Figure 3 is a front elevation, illustrating one form 'otcrane according to the invention, only those-parts which are.neccssaryto an vunderstanding or the'invention being shown.- Figure lis a diagram or outline plan cor.- responding to Figure @but after theWheels -have been adiustedlor a low lifting capacity,

a short slewing radius and a minimum Wheel base. Y i

1B igures 5 and 6 respectively are a sectional elevation and a sectionalplan illustrating another ormot the invention. v

liigure 57 is an outline side elevation shown ing the end ot theoverhanging -jilo structure 105 emitted from l? ig.

Figure 7 is a front elevation part-ly in section of the modificationillustrated in Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic plan View illustrating different adjustmentof the units.

In the form illustrated by Figures 1 to 4,

.adjustment of the wheels to increase the lifting capacity results insome increase in the length of the turning or slewing radius.

'lhe crane therein sho-wn comprises two units. 1 and 2. The unit 1 isprovided with non-swivelling ground wheels 3, 3, rotating on a. fixedaxle 4, while the unit 2 has asteering ground wheel 5 adaptedto beswivelled on a vertical axle (iso that it can be set relatively to thewheels 3, 3 to suit steering and slewing operations as hereinafterexplained. 'The two units 1 and 2 are relatively adjustable so that thedistance betweenthe point of contactof the Wheel 5 with the ground andthe line joining the points of contact of the wheels 3, 3, with theground, can be varied.

The unit 1 comprises a derrick 7 conveniently built of steely channelsforsupporting the pivoted crane jib,`indicated by dot'and `dash lines 8and a structure 9 for supporting the hoisting and vluiii'ng Winches 10,11 whic may be' of any suitable kind.

The front channels of the derrick are supported on the fixed axle4,`while the structure 9 is supported and can slide on 4angle irons orrails .12 forming part of the rear unit 2.

l Retaining bars 13 on the structure 9 engage with the rails 12. l

The unit 2 has a forward frame or extension 14 which at the front issupporteduby and can slide on the axle 4. Retaining bars such as angleirons 16 on the front channels of the derrick engage with the upperedges of the extension frame 14 to prevent vertical displacement, th-esides of the extension frame the unit 2 is caused to move relatively tothe unit l.

The steering ground Wheel 5, for example, shown with twin tires, isfixed on an axle 2O which is free to rotate in a fork 21 having avertical axle mounted so as to rotate in a bearing 22 on the unit 2.

The ground steering wheel 5 is controlled by a steering hand wheel 23.The steering column 24 is mounted on a bracket 25 fixed on the unit l1.1t has a bevel wheel '26 meshing with bevel wheel 27 fixed on a tubularshaft 28 carried in bearings 29 and 30 both lixed on the unit `1.

has a bevel wheel 31 fixed on it. A bevel wheel 32 meshes with the`wheel 31 and is fixed on a receive the shaft 33 which for the greaterpart of its length is square. A driving but sliding connection thusprovided between the shaft-S` 28 and 33, which together form atelescopic' shaft,I to insure operation of the steering ground wheel 5from the hand wlieel23what?"L ever be the relative adjustment betweenthe two units 1 and 2 eiinected by the screw threaded shaft 15.

In the above example the wheels 3, 3, are assumed to be driven byelectric motors 36, 36, derivingcurrent from accumulators which can bemounted on platforms (the accumulators and their supports beingdesignated by the numerals 37, 37) on the unit 2, suitable controllingmeans being provided, for instance `as described in my copending application Serial No. 491,099vby which the motors can be controlled to drivethe wheels in the same or in opposite directions to effect translationalor slewing movements of the crane and accordingly as the wheel 5 is setby l,the hand wheel 23 relatively to the wheels 3, 3. Since in the craneof Figures 1- to 4 the con- Itrols and motors 36 and accumulators 37will be separated by a slidable connection the cur- `rent supply to thecontrols and motors will be provided with a corresponding slidable orextensible connection. i

When the wheel 5 is parallel to the wheels 3,13, as indicated in Figures1 and 2and the wheels 3, 3, are driven in the same' direction the cranecan make rectilinear fore and aft movements.

When the wheel 5 is set at right angles to the wheels 3, 3, and' thelatter are rotated in opposite directions ,the crane rotates or slews j'on a. circle the centre O of which is in they centre of the axis of thewheels 3, 3. l K

When the wheel 5 is set in intermediate positions the crane makescurvilinear trans-v i lational movement. If the wheel 5 is in a positionso that the planetary centre falls between the wheels 3 3, these have tobe rotated in opposite directions, whereas if it falls out side of thesewheels they must rotate in the same direction.

When the two units 1 and 2 are adjusted as in Figures 1 to 3, the weightof the unit 2 and accessories carried by it, such as accumulators forexample, is carried farther to the rear of the axis of the wheels 3,3 sothat the 38, et tlie stub axles A'are mounted in theL lforked ends 'ofthe n xed aide' 4. The motor is also reduced.

:Wietse the craneiaite'r tliis'adjustinent isgre'ater'than when theunitsy arevadjusted to reduce theliftmg capacity, as indicated. inFigure 4, in

which casethe turning or slewing radius is at its minimum and the sizeofthe wheel base lf it be desired to'n'iaintain a minimum turningorslewing radius for the crane underall `conditions o r adjustment ofvlifting capacity,then the 'ground wheels 3, 3, can be adapted to 'besiviyelled Eso' lthat their axes :canL be set te avariable planetarycentre, for

mounted on stub axles Ain .a similarmanner to l that yusually adptedwith. the steering wheels of am'otor car. Vlhe vertical pivot pins 3S,

plates '39, 39,1 are "connected by links l0 to a nut'll'on' alscrewthteadedshaft 52 carried in lbearings "42,43, on the front unit l.The bevel' 'wlieel Mr ontlie endot theshaft 52 is v"in inesli'witli a1bevel wheel 45 on the end ott a steering column46, which passesthroughthe steering column.2l and-is provided with av handsteeringfwheel 4'?. f

By appropriate manipulation. of thev hand` wheel l? the wheels 3,3, canloeiswivelled or adjusted about Itheir .vertical axles 38 into anumberott positions within an angle' ot'about 45o andby theseadjustments in conjunction with adjustmentsof thewheel 5 by the hand4wheel 23u-it is possible to edect rectilinear fore andaft movements-oftthe crane, andturning or slewingn'iovements with a variety of turningorslewing radii.

d"illhen the uni firare lett parallel to one anotheivas shown in dottedlines in Figure 8. rThe/crane'-can then 'rotateorfslew about the centre@"with a minimum turningradius." Even when the iiiiitslnnd 2are extendedas shown in full lines'in' Figure 6 to insure a'gieater lifting,Ycapacity, the saine minimum turning radius, i. e., space' swept invswivelling can be inain- 'tained by' setting the wheel 5 at rightangles tcthe fore and att Iaxis of the crane-as indieatedin vdottedlines at 5 and setting,T `the -wheels 3, 3, into the positions indicatedin dotted lines so that the planetary centre about 'which the craneslewsis shifted from U to CW. The position ot wheels 8, 3, shown ini'ull lines in Figure 8 refers to an intermediate positionot the twounits when the rotation center is also in O1 which ist-he rotationcenter when the wheels 3, 3, are in the dotted posi yaen,

any suitable means may he provided tor locking either or hoth handsteering wheels after an operation. T

yThe form otcia-ne shown in Figures 5to 8 differs somewhat inconstruction from that shown in Figures l to et. 'llhe structure 9 supporting the hoisting' 'and hitting Winches. 10, v

l1, is mounted onfthe unit 2f The axle is provided with a hollowextension 48 to re`` ceive and to form a more extensive guide andsupport for the forward-extension let ot the unit 2, avoidiijig-bothlateral and vertical dis placements between the two units. :More over,the pbS, instead of being mounted en a derriclr, is directly mounted in"pivotal f brackets 49 on the aXle t andthe extension 48 supportsthebearings 42, 43, 29, 30 Jfor the shafts 52, 28.

ln this construction the major portionof :the total weight ofthe craneAcan be moved away from the axis of wheels 3,8.

r l.The nut 19 nas a retainingl piece() engaging' within al'channelledportion' 5l in the axle 4.

It is to be understoodthat the invention The propelling` and hoistingand hiding may be eiected in any desired manner as by electric motors"or hy internal combustion engines, petrolelectric transmission orsteam.I engines.

ln' both the crane thatA of Figures 5 t0 8` the crane structure remainsin a definite verticalplane, and for each adjiistment oi' the unitsthere is a fixed relation between the .maximum overhang of the'load andthe wheel base in all positions of the crane. rlhe operator, therefore,has

of Figures ltoll and simply to adjust the units to lift the desiredloadand once lifted Vno further manipulats 1 and 2 are fully retracted for aminimum Vlifting; capacity, the `wheels tion ot the crane will imbalanceit, so that the ability of thecrane to be adjusted to lift the load isthe test of the ability to carry thev load and deposit it. lt isunnecessary to predetermine-the weight of lthe parts to he trans-lported. lWheiiever the load is too heavy this will be immediately showndnring'the attempt to litt it and the operator will know.

that the units must be adjusted for greater lifting power and that thisadjustment when made will scrveifer all the subsequent move- Aments ofthecrane with itsload. f

- Having now particularly described 'and ascertained the nature of mysaid inventionv andin what manner the same is to he per-v lformed, ldeclare'that what ll claim is a direction parallel to said plane, and asupper von opposite sides and a rear portion having a wheel on a 'linebetween said front wheels in generally triangular formation so as toprovide a three point support, a crane sup. port-ing structure on saidfront portion adapted tosupport a lifting crane to over-- hang forwardlybetween saidforward Wheels, means for driving at least one of saidwheels to propel said crane, means for steering said wheel and means foradjusting one portion with relation'to the other to move said center ofgravity backward. 3. A railless motor propelled crane comprising a frontportion having two wheels on opposite vsides and a rear portion having awheel on a line between said front wheels in generally triangularformation so as to provide a three point support, a crane support ingstructure on said front portion adapted to supporta lifting crane tooverhang for-` wardly between said forward wheels, means for driving atleast one of said front wheels to propel said crane, means 'for steeringsaid wheel and means for adjusting one portion with relation to theother to move said center of gravity backward. 4. A railless motorpropelled crane comprising a frontportion having twowheels on oppositesides and a rear portion having a wheel on a line between said frontwheels in generally triangular formation 'so as to pro- `vide a threepoint support, a crane supporting structure on saidfront portion adaptedy to support a lifting crane to overhang fory wardly between saidforward wheels, means for'driving at least one of said wheels'to propelsaid crane, means for steering said rear wheel from-said front portionand means v for adjusting one-,portion with relation to',y the otherto'move the center of gravity back ward. 5. A railless motor propelledcrane comprising a front portion rhaving two wheels onopposite sides anda rear portion having a wheel on aline with said front wheel ingenerally triangular formation so as to provide a three point support,means for adjusting the front and rear portions with. relation to eachother to move the center-of gravity backward, steering means for saidrear' other, means forv driving at least one of said wheels to'propelsaid crane and` means for supporting a-crane structure on said wheels inposition to overhang forwardly between said forward wheels.

6. A railless motor propelled crane comprising a front portion havingtwo wheels t on opposite sides and a rear portion having a wheel ona'line with saidfront wheel in generally triangular formation so as toprovide `athree point support, means for ad justing the front andrearportions with/rela tion to each other to move the' center of rear wheelfrom said front portion and separatel steering means on said frontportion adjacent said means for steering said rear wheel for saidforward wheels adapted to adjust said wheels simultaneously in prede-`termined angular relation to each other, means for driving said frontwheelsto propel said crane and means for supporting a crane structure onsaid wheels in position to overhang forwardly between said forwardwheels.

7. A crane, comprising in combination a mobile member, material-liftingdevices thereon, three wheel elements for said member arranged ingenerally triangular formasaid wheel elements being arranged 1n a pairat opposite sides of said member and the third wheel elementat one endof said member, means for vari ably setting the wheel pair saidwheels, asecond unit, slidable connec-l tions between the two units affordingrelative movements in the plane of the j ib, a third wheel supportingsaid second unit, hand steering means on the first recited unit, eX-

tensible connections between said steering means Aand said third wheel,and a power supply means on said second unit for supplying power to saidmotors.-

PVAUL ALPHONSE lrlUBERT MOSSAY.

90 tion to provide a three-point support, two of

